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Usually, when people think of winter, they think of the cold weather and spending most of their time indoors. However, there are other things to try out this winter season besides sitting at home wrapped up in a blanket next to the fireplace and sipping hot chocolate. Try to take advantage of winter! Here are some activities for you to try out.

1. Outdoor Skating

As the weather starts getting colder, outdoor skating rinks start opening up. These are mostly free to use and offer the unique experience of skating without the atmosphere of an indoor arena. There’s something special about the fresh air and openness of outdoor skating. It also gives something to do while conversing with friends, and family. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in try out, a quick google search can give a list of locations near you that offer this.

2. Tubing

Another activity to try out this winter is snow tubing. This is essentially a faster, smoother, more exhilarating, grown-up version of tobogganing. There no skill required and is relatively cheap. It involves getting in a giant tire and sliding down a hill. They offer this are various ski resorts and it’s definitely something to experience!

3. Building an Igloo

This can be done almost anywhere, as long as the snow conditions are correct. The snow has to be “packing snow” or snow that is close to its melting point. This is the snow that sticks together. Building an igloo can be a great bonding experience with both family and friends. If interested, here is a simple guide to building your first igloo this winter! http://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/6793/how-to-build-an-igloo/

4. Ice fishing

Ice fishing isn’t just some hipster activity for hardcore Canadians, it’s something the average person can enjoy as well. However, be sure to take precautionary action in case something does go wrong, as this activity has some risks associated with it. Be sure to inform someone of where you’re going and for how long, so they will be able to notify authorities if you do not return on time. Also, going with a buddy is always safer, as you’ll be able to help each other out in case something goes wrong. Consider getting a flotation suit to keep you afloat in case you go through the ice. Don’t get me wrong, this activity isn’t SUPER risky, but these are necessary precautions in case something happens. This is an experience unique to areas with cold winters. Some quick google searches can bring you the needed information to begin ice fishing.

As students, our lives often get extremely busy with overwhelming amounts of work. However, physical activities (preferably every day) are essential in maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. This includes a variety of activities such as playing sports, running, yoga and weightlifting. Not only does it help you stay fit, but it can also boost mood and productivity as well! Here are some reasons why exercise should be added to your daily schedule.

1. Exercise makes you feel happy

One of the many benefits of exercise is the feeling of happiness. Studies have shown that it helps decrease feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression (feelings we’re all too familiar with). Exercise makes parts of the brain more sensitive to hormones that make you feel happy and in turn helps improve mood. However, the effects of daily activity have no relation to the intensity. Therefore, it’s possible to enjoy a nice moderate session of jogging over intense sessions of powerlifting (unless that’s your thing) and enjoy the same benefits. Exercise also helps keep you fit which can help boost self-esteem and confidence which can make you a more productive worker.

2. Exercise is good for your body

This one is intuitive and obvious, yet many people overlook this simple yet important benefit. Exercise plays a vital role in maintaining the health and strength of muscles and bones inside your body. Furthermore, activities that require extensive muscle use such as swimming or weightlifting can even induce muscle growth. With a proper nutrition and sufficient sleep, these can lead to an improved physique, characterized by muscles! On the flip side, substantial lack of exercise can cause issues, as your muscles and bones begin to lose strength and the ability to function. This, in turn, can make you more prone to injury and make your injuries more severe.

3. Exercise can increase energy levels

As counterintuitive as this may sound, there is merit to the title of this section. Studies have shown that exercise has helped to reduce fatigue and increase energy levels in patients who suffered from chronic fatigue. So maybe if you feel tired all the time, doing some exercise will help you feel rejuvenated and ready to go.

Although sometimes we find that we often do not have time to exercise, it’s always possible to find a way. A 30-minute run, even a couple push-ups, can make the difference we need to make a bad day good or a good day even better. So, there is no excuse not to get up, and get active!

When we watch politicians, corporate executives, and celebrities on television give speeches to the public, we are more often than not enthralled by their speaking abilities. They seem so comfortable addressing a large audience which leads us to consider our own speaking abilities and whether such talents are developed or innate. Although some people naturally have an easier time speaking in front of others, this skill is most definitely acquired through practice and experience. It can be perfected by anyone with the heart set out to do so.

Practice

An essential part of developing any skill is practice. When learning to do anything, it’s necessary to watch other people do it, but you’ll never develop that skill if you never set out to practice yourself. Much like how guitarists can’t learn to play just by watching others play, aspiring public speakers can’t learn to do so just by reading blog posts and watching others speaks. In this regard, practice and experience form the foundation of an effective public speaker. Additionally, practicing speeches and presentations beforehand gives a sense of preparation and allows you to be more at ease when actually giving the presentation.

Knowledge

Understanding the topic you’re about to talk about is crucial for effective presentation. Knowing the information about the topic at hand allows you to be able to deviate from your script without panicking. If you know what you’re talking about, it just comes down to sentence structure and intonation. However, if you’re not familiar with the information you’re presenting, it becomes difficult to give a coherent presentation without sticking 100% to a script. In this sense, becoming familiar with the knowledge in a presentation allows for a smooth delivery, even if it’s not according to a pre-prepared script.

Relax

Although this point may seem generic and pointless (“How am I supposed to relax!?”), it’s at least worth a try as it improves public speaking drastically. When you’re speaking and make a slight mistake, chances are nobody cares except you. Even the most professional speakers with years of speaking experience make mistakes, but not many people will notice these slip-ups as they just keep going. It’s essential for you to try doing the same as you tend to see your own mistakes than other people. Try to focus more on the message and content being presented, rather than the small errors in word choice or sentence structure. Additionally, the audience would much rather listen to someone who seems relatable than someone who appears robotic, so try not to read off a script.

Public speaking is a skill that’s developed through experience. No one is born with the ability to give a perfect speech, and as such, we must all start somewhere. Although some may be able to progress faster than others, it’s important to realize that everyone moves at their own pace, and you’ll always get where you’re trying to go if you keep moving forward, regardless of the speed. With that being said, try and have some fun when you’re speaking. Be personal, be motivational, be inspiring.

If you're a student in any school system, chances are you've had to make a Powerpoint presentation before. Although they have a bad rep, Powerpoint presentations can be unique, effective, and fun! Here are some tips on how to make this happen.